Preamble to the Constitution of India

The constitution of India starts with a preamble. It is a brief introductory statement which spells out the guiding purpose and principles of the entire document called the constitution of India. Many constitution and law experts have termed the preamble as the heart and soul of the Indian constitution. There have been many judgments related to the real position of the preamble. The Supreme Court of India, in the Berubari case, stated that the preamble is not an integral part of the Indian constitution. However, in the Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala case 1973, the Supreme Court of India recognised that the preamble may be used to interpret various parts of the constitution in case of confusion or differing interpretations. In another verdict in 1995 (Union Government Vs LIC of India), the Supreme Court has once again held that the Preamble is an integral part of the Constitution.

WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens:

JUSTICE, social, economic and political;
LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;
EQUALITY of status and of opportunity;
and to promote among them all
FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation;

IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.

The Preamble to the Constitution of India serves the following purposes: -

A) It indicates the source from which the Constitution derives its authority;
B) It also states the objects, which the Constitution seeks to establish and promote.

The Preamble seeks to establish what Mahatma Gandhi described as The India of my Dreams, "�an India in which the poorest shall feel that it is their country in whose making they have an effective voice; �an India in which all communities shall leave I perfect harmony. There can be no room in such an India for the curse of untouchability or the curse of Intoxicating drinks and drugs. Woman will enjoy as the same rights as man."